After making his debut early in 1981 McGlashan was dropped then missed time with a broken wrist. He returned later in the year to play two more games and topped that year'sReserves goalkicking.

McGlashan was in the Melbourne team for Round 4, 1982 before missing another five weeks. He returned in Round 10 to kick six goals in a win over Collingwood, missed the next week, played one more game and never appeared in another VFL match.